A Treatise of Fruit-Trees (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1757 Excerpt: ... that the stem is not required to be either very long or very strait; but the fide or horizontal branches proceeding from it, should be at regular distances and heights from one another, which is greatly to the advantage of its bearing. The extremities of the young shoots are subject to be killed in the winter; when this happens they should be taken off to the quick, and the branches kept from crossing one another, which is the chief order required, till they are large enough to bear; and shortening the branches is of great service in making them bear more plentifully; and since beating them with poles is an expeditious method for tall trees, I therefore recommend this practice for such trees, whether there be fruit or not. SECT. X. Of the Pruning of Standard Mulberries, WHERE orchards are pastured with large cattle, there is a necessity of having the branches of fruit-trees high, to prevent them from being damaged; otherwise the mulberry is much better to have its branches near the ground, for then the fruit is gathered with more ease, and leis liable to be blown down by the winds. The mulberry should have horizontals drawn from the stem, in the same manner as the apple, and all dead wood and old branches must be taken out, and new ones raised where there is occasion; but such branches as are designed to produce bearers must never be shortened, for they bear their fruit upon branches of the lame year's growth, proceeding from three or four buds near the extremities of the last year's shoots; and should the ends of these shoots, together with the buds be taken off, they would not produce any fruit, though they would shoot very strongly from other buds. SECT. XI. Of the Pruning of Standard-Cherries, Plums, Almonds, Quinces, Medlars, and Filberds. STandard-che...